Coronavirus: Flush only toilet paper, not wipes or anything else, EPA says

Flush toilet paper, not disinfecting wipes or other non-flushable items that should go in the trash, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency suggests.

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Flushing only toilet paper helps ensure toilets, plumbing, sewer systems and septic systems will continue working properly to safely manage the nation’s wastewater. While EPA encourages disinfecting your environment to prevent the spread of COVID-19, never flush disinfecting wipes or other non-flushable items.

These easy steps will keep surfaces disinfected and wastewater management systems working for all Americans.

Preventable toilet and sewer backups can threaten health and present an extra challenge to water utilities and their workforce.

Flushing anything other than toilet paper, including disinfecting wipes, can damage internal plumbing, sewer and septic systems. Fixing these backups is costly and takes time and resources away from ensuring wastewater management systems are otherwise working properly.

Having fully operational wastewater services is critical to containing COVID-19 and protecting Americans from other public health risks.